Chip, imaging cartridge, and communication method between the chip and imaging device

ABSTRACT

A communication method is provided between a chip and an imaging device. Accordingly, the chip receives a clock pulse signal from the imaging device via a clock line; and receives a READ instruction from the imaging device via a data line. Within one clock pulse signal period, the chip transmits at least one bit of implicit data and one bit of master data that are stored in an internal memory to the data line within different time slots, respectively, and the imaging device collects data from the data line while the chip is transmitting the master data to the data line. Further, the chip receives a WRITE instruction from the imaging device via the data line, wherein the chip receives master data sent from the imaging device, writes the master data into the memory arranged in the chip, and updates the implicit data stored in the memory.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/073,317, filed on Mar. 17, 2016, which is acontinuation of PCT Patent Application No. PCT/CN2014/075637, filed Apr.17, 2014, which claims the priority benefit of Chinese PatentApplication No. 201310439993.8, filed on Sep. 24, 2013. The contents ofthe above identified applications are incorporated herein by referencein their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to imaging and developing technologies,and in particular, to a chip, an imaging cartridge, and a communicationmethod between the chip and an imaging device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As the imaging technology develops, imaging devices such asphotocopiers, printers, fax machines, and word processors are widelyused in various fields. Such an imaging device is commonly provided witha removable imaging cartridge (such as an ink cartridge and a tonercartridge) for accommodating recording materials, and the imagingcartridge is generally provided with a chip. The chip is stored withinvariable data relevant to the imaging cartridge, and variable datagenerated in a printing procedure, wherein the invariable data can bemanufacturer code, date of manufacture, model, characteristicparameters, and the like, while the variable data can be imaging pages,remaining amount of recording materials, revolutions of a rotating unit,and the like. The rotating unit herein can be a core component used inan imaging operation, such as an OPC drum, a primary charge roller, adeveloper roller, and a supply roller. In a communication procedurebetween the imaging device and the chip, the imaging device will readthe data stored in the chip or update the data stored in the chip.

When the chip is mounted into the imaging device, a communicationinterface of the chip will be electrically connected to a contactterminal of the imaging device, to form a communication line, whichincludes a clock line CLK for transmission of clock pulse signals, and adata line DAT for transmitting data under the action of the clock pulsesignals. The data line DAT is a bidirectional data transmission line,such that data can be transmitted either from the imaging device to thechip via the data line, or from the chip to the imaging device via thedata line. The clock line CLK is a unidirectional signal transmissionline, wherein the clock pulse signals being transmitted are usuallyunder the control of the imaging device, so that the imaging device andthe chip act synchronously. FIG. 1 shows a communication procedure inwhich the imaging device reads data stored in the chip. At a rising edgeA of a first clock pulse signal, the chip will transmit a first datum 1to the data line (i.e., the chip will transmit a high level signal tothe data line). And at a falling edge B of the first clock pulse signal,the imaging device will read the datum 1 from the data line. At a risingedge C of a second clock pulse signal, the chip will transmit a seconddatum 0 to the data line (i.e., the chip will transmit a low levelsignal to the data line). And at a falling edge D of the second clockpulse signal, the imaging device will read the datum 0 from the dataline. As such, the chip will transmit one datum to the data line at eachof points E, G, I, K, and M, and the imaging device will read the datafrom the data line at points F, H, J, L, and N. In the end, the chipwill transmit the data 10110100 to the imaging device. Likewise, FIG. 1can also show a communication procedure in which the imaging devicewrites data into the chip. At the rising edge A of the first clock pulsesignal, the imaging device will transmit the first datum 1 onto the dataline (i.e., the imaging device will transmit a high level signal to thedata line). And at the falling edge B of the first clock pulse signal,the chip will read the datum 1 from the data line. At the rising edge Cof the second clock pulse signal, the imaging device will transmit thesecond datum 0 onto the data line (i.e., the imaging device willtransmit a low level signal to the data line). And at the falling edge Dof the second clock pulse signal, the chip will read the datum 0 fromthe data line. As such, the imaging device will transmit one datum tothe data line at each of points E, G, I, K, and M, and the chip willread the data from the data line at points F, H, J, L, and N. In theend, the imaging device will transmit the data 10110100 to the chip.

Although the above communication procedures are simple and easy toperform, they are incapable of satisfying people's increasing demands.For example, customers may expect to know about more information, suchas anti-counterfeit information and manufacturing information of thechip. And suppliers or manufacturers of the chip may seek to know theworking environment, users' mis-operation conditions, usage states ofthe chip, and the like. Where abnormality arises, the reasons thereofcan be readily found out according to the above information. CN201210209303.5 discloses a chip stored with parameter values of usagestates of the chip, comprising at least one selected from a groupconsisting of WRITE times, normal communication times, READ times,communication failure times, and communication interference times. Whenthe chip receives a READ/WRITE operation command from an imaging device,or when a control unit of the chip monitors a communication interferencesignal, the chip will automatically update the parameter value of theusage state thereof When the chip fails, if the supplier ormanufacturer, through reading the parameter value of the usage state ofthe chip, learns that the chip fails after being used for only a limitednumber of times, it can be concluded that the failure is largely due toperformance deficiency of the chip. On the contrary, if the chip hasbeen used for many times, it can then be concluded that the failuremight due to an end of the service life of the chip. Information similarto the parameter value of the usage state as described above can begenerally termed as implicit data. Although an existing chip has beenstored with these implicit data, an existing imaging device generallydoes not support a READ/WRITE operation thereof. The chip has to beremoved from the imaging device and mounted to an additional informationreading device, which can simulate a command of the imaging device andread the implicit data from the chip. Even if there might exist a smallnumber of imaging devices that can support a READ/WRITE operation ofthese implicit data, such an operation should be based on thetraditional communication procedure as indicated in FIG. 1, wherein anadditional data reading command is necessary during the communicationbetween the imaging device and the chip for the READ/WRITE operation ofthe implicit data. However, such an additional READ/WRITE operation willinevitably prolong communication time between the imaging device and thechip, which is against rapid start and response of the imaging device,thereby reducing imaging efficiency.

As a result, there is an urgent need of a chip which is capable ofoutputting the implicit data without disturbing normal communicationbetween the imaging device and the chip, an imaging device that cancooperate with such a chip, and a corresponding communication method.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to solve the above problem, the present disclosure provides achip, an imaging cartridge, and a communication method between the chipand an imaging device, wherein the chip can output implicit data withoutaffecting normal communications between the imaging device and the chip.

The present disclosure provides a communication method between a chipand an imaging device, comprising the steps of:

receiving, by the chip, a clock pulse signal from the imaging device viaa clock line;

receiving, by the chip, a READ instruction from the imaging device via adata line, wherein within one clock pulse signal period, the chiptransmits at least one bit of implicit data and one bit of master datathat are stored in an internal memory to the data line within differenttime slots, respectively, and the imaging device collects data from thedata line while the chip is transmitting the master data to the dataline; and

receiving, by the chip, a WRITE instruction from the imaging device viathe data line, wherein the chip receives the master data sent from theimaging device, writes the master data into the memory arranged in thechip, and updates the implicit data stored in the memory.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in the abovecommunication method, after a rising edge of the clock pulse signalarrives, the chip transmits at least one bit of implicit data to thedata line, and before a falling edge of the clock pulse signal arrives,the chip stops such transmission of the implicit data, and turns totransmit one bit of master data to the data line; and when the fallingedge of the clock pulse signal arrives, the imaging device collects datafrom the data line.

Alternatively, after the falling edge of the clock pulse signal arrives,the chip transmits at least one bit of implicit data to the data line,and before the rising edge of the clock pulse signal arrives, the chipstops such transmission of the implicit data, and turns to transmit onebit of master data to the data line; and when the rising edge of theclock pulse signal arrives, the imaging device collects data from thedata line.

Besides, in the above communication method, the imaging device canfurther collect data from the data line in the time slot when the chipis transmitting the implicit data to the data line.

The above implicit data of the chip comprise at least one selected froma group including parameters of anti-counterfeit information,manufacturing information, WRITE times, restoration times, normalcommunication times, READ times, communication failure times,communication interference times, and working environment of the chip.

In addition, in the above communication method, when receiving the WRITEinstruction from the imaging device via the data line, the chip canfirst update the implicit data stored in the memory, and then write themaster data received from the imaging device into the memory.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the master dataare transmitted to the data line in the forms of a high-level voltageand a low-level voltage, respectively; and the implicit data aretransmitted to the data line in the forms of a high-level voltage and alow-level voltage, respectively, or alternatively in the forms of ahigh-level voltage and a mid-level voltage, respectively, wherein themid-level voltage is lower than the high-level voltage and higher thanthe low-level voltage.

Moreover, the present disclosure also provides a chip, wherein datatransmission can be performed between the chip and the imaging devicethrough the above communication method.

Furthermore, the above chip can comprise:

a memory used for storing the implicit data and the master data; and

a control unit used for connecting the imaging device via a bus andtransmitting data to the bus,

wherein controlled by the control unit, the chip receives the clockpulse signal and the READ instruction from the imaging device via thebus, and transmits, within one clock pulse signal period, at least onebit of implicit data and one bit of master data that are stored in thememory to the bus in different time slots, respectively, and

wherein the control unit is provided with a timing module therein, underthe control of which, the chip transmits the master data to the buswhile the imaging device is collecting data from the bus.

Finally, the present disclosure further provides an imaging cartridgeprovided thereon with the above chip.

Compared with the prior art, the present disclosure provides the chip,the imaging cartridge, and the communication method between the chip andthe imaging device that can achieve transmission of the implicit dataand the master data on one and a same data line. The imaging device canread the master data only, or can read the implicit data also, by meansof an information reading device having a function of reading implicitdata, while the chip is transmitting the implicit data, thereby ensuringboth data transmission efficiency and data security of the implicitdata.

The purpose and other advantages of the present disclosure can beachieved and obtained through the structures as specially indicated inthe description, the claim set, and the accompany drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings are provided for further understanding of the presentdisclosure, and constitute one part of the description. They serve toexplain the present disclosure in conjunction with the embodiments,rather than to limit the present disclosure in any manner. In thedrawings:

FIG. 1 shows a procedure of data transmission between an imaging deviceand a chip in the prior art;

FIG. 2 shows a connection principle diagram between an electronic moduleof a chip and a controller of an imaging device according to the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3 schematically shows a storage structure of a memory of the chipaccording to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows a procedure diagram in which the chip transmits data to theimaging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows a procedure diagram in which the chip transmits data toanother imaging device according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6 shows a procedure diagram in which the chip transmits data to theimaging device according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 7 shows a procedure diagram in which an information reading deviceis used to read implicit data according to the embodiment as shown inFIG. 4; and

FIG. 8 shows a procedure diagram in which the information reading deviceis used to read both implicit data and master data according to theembodiment as shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 2 shows a connection principle diagram between an electronic moduleof a chip and a controller of an imaging device according to the presentdisclosure. As indicated in FIG. 2, the imaging device can be providedwith a controller 10 therein, which can, via a bus, communicate withelectronic modules 21, 22 . . . , 27, and the like, of a plurality ofimaging cartridge chips. The bus can comprise a power supply line VCC, achip selection line CS, a clock line CLK, and a data line DAT, and eachof the electronic modules 21, 22 . . . , and 27 can be electricallyconnected to the bus, so as to receive power from the imaging device andto perform various signal transmission with the imaging device. Each ofthe electronic modules 21, 22 . . . , and 27 can be provided with acontrol unit 31 and a memory 32, wherein the control unit 31 can receivea signal sent from the controller 10 of the imaging device, and executea corresponding operation as per the signal received. For example, inaccordance with a READ/WRITE instruction sent by the controller 10 ofthe imaging device, the control unit 31 will read data stored in thememory 32, and transmit the data to the imaging device, or write datafrom the imaging device into the memory 32. The memory 32 can be storedwith master data therein used for communicating with the imaging device,and implicit data that can be output and transmitted to the imagingdevice along with the master data, wherein the implicit data are storedand updated by the chip, rather than being written in by the imagingdevice.

When the imaging device sends the READ instruction, the chip willtransmit the master data and the implicit data to the data line DAT, andthe imaging device can read either the master data solely, or the masterdata and the implicit data together. When the imaging device sends theWRITE instruction, the imaging device will transmit the master data tothe chip, which will update the implicit data stored therein, and storethe master data received into the memory. The master data refer toinformation relevant to the imaging cartridge and an imaging procedure,and specifically can be either invariable data relevant to the imagingcartridge including manufacturer code, date of manufacture, model,characteristic parameters, date of first mounting, and the like thereof,or variable data relevant to the imaging procedure, including imagingpages, remaining amount of recording materials, revolutions of arotating unit, and the like. The implicit data are stored and updated bythe chip, rather than being written in by the imaging device, andtherefore record information relevant to the chip per se. Specifically,the implicit data can be at least one selected from a group ofconsisting of anti-counterfeit information of the chip, manufacturinginformation of the chip, usage parameters of the chip, and workingenvironment parameters of the chip, wherein usage parameters of the chipcan be at least one selected from a group consisting of parameter valuesof WRITE times, restoration times, normal communication times, READtimes, communication failure times, and communication interferencetimes. Of course, the master data and the implicit data can be expandedand changed as required by users on the above basis. Functions andconfigurations of the chip and the imaging device can be expanded andchanged also. For example, the chip can be arranged either on theimaging cartridge or on the imaging device. Any modifications andvariations made to the implementation forms and details of the technicalsolution of the present disclosure all fall in the scope of the presentdisclosure, as long as they do not extend the spirit of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3 schematically shows a storage structure of the memory 32 of thechip according to the present disclosure, wherein the memory 32 cancomprise a first storage unit 321 used for storing the implicit data,and a second storage unit 322 used for storing the master data. Forinstance, the first storage unit 321 can be stored with the parametervalue of WRITE times of the chip, while the second storage unit 322 canbe stored with the remaining amount of recording materials, mountingtimes of an ink cartridge, date of first mounting, and the like.

When the chip receives the READ instruction from the imaging device, thecontrol unit 31 of the chip can receive a clock pulse signal from theclock line CLK, and alternately transmit the implicit data stored in thefirst storage unit 321 and the master data stored in the second storageunit 322 to the data line DAT by bits, at a transmission frequency ofone bit of implicit datum and one bit of master datum per clock period.

When the chip receives the WRITE instruction from the imaging device,the control unit 31 of the chip will execute the following steps.

In an update step, the implicit data stored in the first storage unit321 are updated. For example, when the parameter value of WRITE timesstored in the first storage unit 321 is to be updated, the parametervalue of WRITE times will be added with one or reduced by one.

In a WRITE step, the chip receives the master data from the imagingdevice via the data line DAT, and writes the master data into acorresponding position in the second storage unit 322.

Either the update step or the WRITE step above can be executed first bythe control unit 31 of the chip. In the embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the update step is preferably executed before the WRITEstep.

When the chip alternately sends the implicit data and the master data,the alternating time points can be controlled by a timing module (notshown in the drawings) arranged in the control unit of the chip.

The above electronic module of the chip can communicate with the imagingdevice through a chip interface unit, which can be an electric contactarranged on a substrate of the chip. When the chip is mounted into theimaging device, the electric contact on the substrate of the chip willbe electrically connected to a contact terminal of the imaging device,so as to be connected to the bus. Alternatively, the interface unit canbe antenna in wireless communication with the imaging device, which willnot be limited herein.

In the following, a procedure in which the chip alternately transmitsthe implicit data and the master data to the imaging device will beillustrated in detail. FIG. 4 shows a procedure diagram in which thechip transmits data to the imaging device according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure. In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 4, the masterdata and the implicit data are being transmitted in the data line DAT inthe forms of high- and low-level voltages, wherein the high-levelvoltage corresponds to the datum “1” in the binary system, while thelow-level voltage corresponds to the datum “0” in the binary system.Herein, the high-level voltage reaches approximately 3.3 V, and thelow-level voltage generally equals a grounding voltage. The values ofthe high- and low-level voltages are of course not limited hereto.

When the imaging device sends the READ instruction to the chip, the chipwill receive the clock pulse signal from the clock line CLK, andalternately transmit the implicit data and the master data to the dataline DAT by bits. Generally, the amount of the master data will be muchlarger than that of the implicit data stored in the chip. As a result,after the implicit data are completely transmitted, the data line DATwill continue the transmission of the master data. This will bedemonstrated with an example in the following. It can be assumed thatthe implicit data stored in the chip are “01101100,” indicating WRITEtimes of the chip by the imaging device, while the master data are“10110100 . . . ,” which indicate information of ink amount. As shown inFIG. 4, when the chip receives the READ instruction from the imagingdevice, it will transmit the first implicit datum “0” to the data lineDAT at a rising edge A1 of a first clock pulse signal (i.e., a low-levelsignal will be transmitted to the data line DAT). Then, prior to arrivalof a falling edge of the first clock pulse signal, the transmission ofthe first implicit datum will stop, and the first master datum “1” willbe transmitted to the data line DAT (i.e., a high-level signal will betransmitted to the data line DAT). When the falling edge A2 of the firstclock pulse signal arrives, the imaging device will read data from thedata line DAT, to obtain the first master datum “1.” At a rising edge A3of a second clock pulse signal, the chip will transmit the secondimplicit datum “1” to the data line DAT (i.e., a high-level signal willbe transmitted to the data line DAT). Then, prior to arrival of afalling edge of the second clock pulse signal, the transmission of thesecond implicit datum will stop, and the second master datum “0” will betransmitted to the data line DAT (i.e., a low-level signal will betransmitted to the data line DAT). When the falling edge A4 of thesecond clock pulse signal arrives, the imaging device will read datafrom the data line DAT, to obtain the second master datum “0.” At arising edge A5 of a third clock pulse signal, the chip will transmit thethird implicit datum “1” to the data line DAT (i.e., a high-level signalwill be transmitted to the data line DAT). Then, prior to arrival of afalling edge of the third clock pulse signal, the transmission of thethird implicit datum will stop, and the third master datum “1” will betransmitted to the data line DAT (i.e., a high-level signal will betransmitted to the data line DAT). When the falling edge A6 of the thirdclock pulse signal arrives, the imaging device will read data from thedata line DAT, to obtain the third master datum “1.” As such, at therising edges of the clock pulse signals, the chip will transmit theimplicit data onto the data line DAT, while prior to arrival the fallingedges of the clock pulse signals, the transmission of the implicit datawill stop, and the master data will be transmitted to the data line DAT.When the falling edges of the clock pulse signals arrive, the imagingdevice will read the data from the data line DAT, so as to obtain themaster data, until the implicit data are completely transmitted.

Certainly, in connection with different imaging devices, the time whenthe chip transmits data to the data line DAT can be adjustedaccordingly. FIG. 5 shows a procedure diagram in which the chiptransmits data to another imaging device, which is different from theimaging device of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 4, and will read datafrom the data line DAT at rising edges of the clock pulse signals.Therefore, when the chip receives the READ instruction from the imagingdevice, it will transmit the first implicit datum “0” to the data lineDAT at a falling edge C1 of the first clock pulse signal (i.e., alow-level signal will be transmitted to the data line DAT). Then, priorto arrival of a rising edge of the first clock pulse signal, thetransmission of the first implicit datum will stop, and the first masterdatum “1” will be transmitted to the data line DAT (i.e., a high-levelsignal will be transmitted to the data line DAT). When the rising edgeC2 of the first clock pulse signal arrives, the imaging device will readdata from the data line DAT, to obtain the first master datum “1.” At afalling edge C3 of the second clock pulse signal, the chip will transmitthe second implicit datum “1” to the data line DAT (i.e., a high-levelsignal will be transmitted to the data line DAT). Then, prior to arrivalof a falling edge of the second clock pulse signal, the transmission ofthe second implicit datum will stop, and the second master datum “0”will be transmitted to the data line DAT (i.e., a low-level signal willbe transmitted to the data line DAT). When the rising edge C4 of thesecond clock pulse signal arrives, the imaging device will read datafrom the data line DAT, to obtain the second master datum “0.” At afalling edge C5 of the third clock pulse signal, the chip will transmitthe third implicit datum “1” to the data line DAT (i.e., a high-levelsignal will be transmitted to the data line DAT). Then, prior to arrivalof a rising edge of the third clock pulse signal, the transmission ofthe third implicit datum will stop, and the third master datum “1” willbe transmitted to the data line DAT (i.e., a high-level signal will betransmitted to the data line DAT). When the rising edge C6 of the thirdclock pulse signal arrives, the imaging device will read data from thedata line DAT, to obtain the third master datum “1.” As such, at thefalling edges of the clock pulse signals, the chip will transmit theimplicit data onto the data line DAT, while prior to arrival the risingedges of the clock pulse signals, the transmission of the implicit datawill stop, and the master data will be transmitted to the data line DAT.When the rising edges of the clock pulse signals arrive, the imagingdevice will read the data from the data line DAT, to obtain the masterdata, until the implicit data are completely transmitted.

Since there is generally a much larger amount of master data than theimplicit data to be read by the imaging device, after the implicit dataare completely transmitted, the data line will continue the transmissionof the master data to be read by the imaging device. After the implicitdata are completely transmitted, the chip can either transmit theremaining master data bit by bit to the data line at the rising edges ofclock pulse signals, followed by collection of said remaining masterdata by the imaging device at arrival of falling edges of the clockpulse signals, or alternatively transmit the remaining master data bitby bit to the data line prior to arrival of the falling edges of theclock pulse signals, followed by collection of said remaining masterdata by the imaging device at arrival of the falling edges of the clockpulse signals, until the master data to be read by the imaging deviceare transmitted completely.

The present disclosure can surely have other embodiments. FIG. 6 showsthe communication method between the chip and the imaging deviceaccording to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As indicatedin FIG. 6, the master data are transmitted in the data line DAT in theform of high- and low-level voltages, wherein the high-level voltagecorresponds to the binary number “1,” while the low-level voltagecorresponds to the binary number “0.” And the implicit data aretransmitted in the data line DAT in the form of high- and mid-levelvoltages, wherein the high-level voltage corresponds to the binarynumber “1,” while the mid-level voltage corresponds to the binary number“0.” Herein, the high-level voltage is approximately 3.3 V, and thelow-level voltage substantially equals the grounding voltage. Themid-level voltage, which is higher than the low-level voltage and lowerthan the high-level voltage, can be in the range from 1 V to 2 V,preferably 1.5 V, and is of course not limited hereto. In the embodimentas shown in FIG. 6, the chip transmits data to the imaging device inexactly the same way as explained in the above embodiment. In the timepoints indicated from B1 to B16, the voltages of the data line DATalternately represent the implicit data and the master data. The meredifference of the present embodiment is that the voltage inrepresentation of the implicit datum “0” is no longer the groundvoltage, but rather a substantial 1.5 V mid-level voltage. Therefore thedata transmission procedure will not be repeated herein.

In a conventional communication procedure between the imaging device andthe chip, it is only necessary for the imaging device to read the masterdata while the implicit data do not need to be read thereby. Where it isnecessary to read the implicit data in the chip, as in the presentdisclosure, the imaging device can use an information reading devicehaving a function of reading the implicit data to obtain the implicitdata in the chip. The information reading device can comprise aninternal clock module, an information collecting module, and acommunication interface. The internal clock module can be used tocontrol information collection of the information reading device. Whenit is necessary to read the implicit data in the chip, the communicationinterface will be connected to the bus.

FIG. 7 shows a procedure diagram in which the information reading deviceis used to read the implicit data according to the embodiment as shownin FIG. 4. A periodical signal T of the internal clock module in theinformation reading device can control time points at which theinformation collecting module reads data from the data line DAT, whereinthe time points should be controlled within a time slot when the chip istransmitting the implicit data. In the embodiment, the time points fordata reading are preferably arranged at clock falling edges of theperiodical signal T as shown in FIG. 6. When it arrives at point T1, theinformation collecting module will read data from the data line DAT, toobtain the implicit datum “0;” when it arrives at point T2, theinformation collecting module will read data from the data line DAT, toobtain the implicit datum “1;” and when it arrives at point T3, theinformation collecting module will read data from the data line DAT, toobtain the implicit datum “1;” so on and so forth. Whenever it arrives aclock falling edge of the periodical signal T, the informationcollecting module will read a datum from the data line DAT, until theimplicit data are completely read.

Similarly, besides the function of reading the implicit data, theinformation reading device can have a function of reading the masterdata meanwhile. FIG. 8 shows a procedure diagram in which theinformation reading device is used to read both the implicit data andthe master data according to the embodiment as shown in FIG. 4. Aperiodical signal t of the internal clock module in the informationreading device can control time points at which the informationcollecting module reads data from the data line DAT, wherein the timepoints are distributed among both the time slots in which the chip istransmitting the implicit data and the time slots in which the chip istransmitting the master data. In the present embodiment, the time pointsfor data reading are preferably arranged at clock falling edges of theperiodical signal t as shown in FIG. 7. When it arrives at point t1, theinformation collecting module will read data from the data line DAT, toobtain the implicit datum “0;” when it arrives at point t2, theinformation collecting module will read data from the data line DAT, toobtain the master datum “1;” when it arrives at point t3, theinformation collecting module will read data from the data line DAT, toobtain the implicit datum “1;” and when it arrives at point t4, theinformation collecting module will read data from the data line DAT, toobtain the master datum “0;” so on and so forth. Whenever it arrives aclock falling edge of the periodical signal t, the informationcollecting module will read a datum from the data line DAT, so as tocollect the implicit data and the master data alternately.

Since the clock pulse signals for communication between the imagingdevice and the chip are fixed, the above periodical signal T or t can berather readily determined.

In the above embodiment, the information reading device is anindependent device separate from the imaging device. An imaging devicehaving no function of reading the implicit data of the chip can be addedwith the information reading device on the bus for reading the implicitdata of the chip. The information reading device can record the implicitdata of the chip by collecting data from the bus as per periodic signalsset forth thereby, which will not affect communication between theimaging device and the chip. This does not need any special READ orWRITE instructions, thereby ensuring data transmission efficiency of thechip.

The above information reading device can of course be arranged in theimaging device, so as to enable the imaging device with a function ofreading the implicit data. When it is necessary to read the implicitdata stored in the chip, the imaging device will activate theinformation reading device arranged therein to read the implicit datafrom the data line. Specific data collection can be performed in thesame steps as illustrated above in which the information reading devicecollects the implicit data. These steps will not be repeated herein. Inthe above embodiment, when the imaging device sends the READinstruction, the chip transmits, within one clock pulse signal period,one bit of the implicit data and one bit of the master data storedtherein to the data line in different time slots. In another embodiment,the chip can also transmit, within one clock pulse signal period, two ormore bits of the implicit data and one bit of the master data storedtherein to the data line in different time slots. Generally, one clockpulse signal period of the imaging device is in the range from 1000 nsto 20 us, while a pulse duration of one implicit datum can be controlledwithin the range from 100 ns to 1000 ns. For example, theoretically, foran imaging device having a clock pulse signal period within 1000 ns, thechip can, within one clock pulse signal period, transmit four bits ofthe implicit data (the pulse duration of the implicit data is controlledwithin 100 ns) and one bit of the master data stored therein to the dataline in different time slots, respectively. When the chip istransmitting data to the imaging device, it is only necessary toguarantee that the imaging device will be collecting data from the dataline during the time slots when the chip is transmitting the master datato the data line. Likewise, when the information reading device is usedto read the implicit data from the chip, it is only necessary to enablethe information reading device to collect data from the data line as pera predetermined period during the time slots when the chip istransmitting the implicit data to the data line.

In the above, the steps are explained in which the chip, as per the READinstruction from the imaging device, transmits the implicit data and themaster data to the imaging device, and the imaging device reads themaster data only, or alternatively reads both the master data and theimplicit data. When the chip receives the WRITE instruction from theimaging device, the chip will update the implicit data stored in thememory, receive the master data from the imaging device, and write themaster data into the memory, wherein the update step can be performedeither before or after the WRITE step. In the embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the implicit data usually involve the information of thechip, and are therefore of significant importance to inspection andmalfunction elimination of the chip. As a result, preferably, the chipcontrol unit can first update the implicit data stored in the memory,and then write the master data into the memory. The approaches forupdating of the implicit data can be correspondingly adjusted as perdifferences in types of the data, which will not be limited herein. Forexample, as per the types of the implicit data, the following updatingapproaches can be used.

When the implicit data refer to the anti-counterfeit information ormanufacturing information of the chip, after the chip receives the WRITEinstruction from the imaging device, the control unit of the chip willfirst update the implicit data stored in the memory, and then write themaster data from the imaging device into the memory, wherein updatedimplicit data will be the same as the previous implicit data. Of course,the implicit data may not be updated, in which case, the master datafrom the imaging device are directly written into the memory.

When the implicit data refer to the parameters of working environment ofthe chip, after the chip receives the WRITE instruction from the imagingdevice, the control unit of the chip will first detect the workingenvironment of the chip, such as temperature, humidity, and powervoltage, then update the implicit data stored in the memory inaccordance with new parameters of working environment, and then writethe master data from the imaging device into the memory.

When the implicit data refer to the usage states of the chip, such as atleast one selected from a group consisting of parameter values of WRITEtimes, normal communication times, READ times, communication failuretimes, and communication interference times, after the chip receives theWRITE instruction from the imaging device, the control unit of the chipwill update the implicit data stored in the memory by adding onethereto, and then write the master data received from the imaging deviceinto a corresponding memory.

The control unit of the chip above can of course alternately update theimplicit data and write the master data by bits. In other words, therecan be a plurality of specific embodiments, which are not limitedhereto.

In addition, the present disclosure further provides an imagingcartridge, which is provided with the chip of the present disclosure.

Through the chip, the imaging cartridge, and the communication methodbetween the chip and the imaging device of the present disclosure, thefunction of transmission of the implicit data and the master data in oneand a same data line can be achieved. Besides, in the communicationprocedure between the chip and the imaging device, the imaging devicecan read the master data solely, or alternatively, where necessary, readthe implicit data also, by means of the information reading devicehaving the function of reading the implicit data, during the time slotswhen the chip is transmitting the implicit data. This can ensure datatransmission efficiency, thereby ensuring both imaging operationefficiency of the imaging device, and data security of the implicitdata.

Thus, the present disclosure describes a chip, an imaging cartridge, anda communication method between the chip and the imaging device. The chipis stored with implicit data and master data. The communication methodcomprises the following steps. The chip receives a clock pulse signaland a READ instruction from the imaging device, wherein within one clockpulse signal period, the chip transmits at least one bit of implicitdata and one bit of master data to the data line within different timeslots, respectively, and the imaging device reads data from the dataline while the chip is transmitting the master data. And the chipreceives a WRITE instruction from the imaging device, writes the masterdata received from the imaging device into a memory, and updates theimplicit data stored in the memory. The implicit data and the masterdata can be transmitted in one and a same data line. The imaging devicecan read the master data only, or can read the implicit data also, bymeans of an information reading device having a function of readingimplicit data, while the chip is transmitting the implicit data, therebyensuring both data transmission efficiency and data security of theimplicit data.

The above description should not be construed as limitations of thepresent disclosure, but merely as exemplifications of preferredembodiments thereof. Any variations or replacements that can be readilyenvisioned by those skilled in the art are intended to be within thescope of the present disclosure. Hence, the scope of the presentdisclosure should be subject to the scope defined in the claims.

1-15. (canceled)
 16. A communication method between a chip and animaging device, comprising the steps of: receiving, by the chip, a WRITEinstruction from the imaging device via a data line; updating, by thechip, at least one bit of implicit data stored in an internal memory ofthe chip, wherein implicit data refers to record information relevant tothe chip; and, writing, by the imaging device, at least one bit ofmaster data into the internal memory of the chip after the chip updatingthe at least one bit of implicit data, wherein master data refers toinformation relevant to an imaging cartridge and an imaging procedure ofthe imaging device.
 17. The communication method according to claim 16,wherein receiving the WRITE instruction from the imaging device via thedata line further comprises: receiving, by the chip, the WRITEinstruction and the at least one bit of master data from the imagingdevice via the data line.
 18. The communication method according toclaim 16, wherein: the implicit data comprises at least one piece ofinformation selected from a group including parameters ofanti-counterfeit information of the chip, manufacturing information ofthe chip, WRITE times of the chip, restoration times of the chip, normalcommunication times of the chip, READ times of the chip, communicationfailure times of the chip, communication interference times of the chip,and working environment of the chip.
 19. The communication methodaccording to claim 18, wherein: when the implicit data refers to atleast one piece of information selected from a group consisting of theparameters of the WRITE times of the chip, the normal communicationtimes of the chip, the READ times of the chip, the communication failuretimes of the chip, and the communication interference times of the chip,updating, by the chip, the at least one bit of implicit data stored inthe internal memory of the chip further comprises: updating the implicitdata stored in the memory by adding one thereto.
 20. The communicationmethod according to claim 18, wherein: when the implicit data refers tothe parameters of the working environment of the chip, updating, by thechip, the at least one bit of implicit data stored in the internalmemory of the chip further comprises: detecting the working environmentof the chip, then updating the implicit data stored in the internalmemory in accordance with new parameters of the working environment ofthe chip.
 21. A chip for performing data transmission between the chipand an imaging device coupled with the chip, comprising: a memoryconfigured to store implicit data and master data, wherein the implicitdata refers to record information relevant to the chip, the implicitdata is stored and updated by the chip, rather than being written in bythe imaging device, and the master data refers to information relevantto an imaging cartridge and an imaging procedure of the imaging device;and a control unit configured to connect the imaging device via a busand receiving data from the bus, wherein, controlled by the controlunit, the chip is further configured to receive a clock pulse signal anda WRITE instruction from the imaging device via the bus, then update theimplicit data, and write the master data received from the imagingdevice into the memory after updating the implicit data.
 22. The chipaccording to claim 21, wherein: the implicit data comprises at least onepiece of information selected from a group including parameters ofanti-counterfeit information of the chip, manufacturing information ofthe chip, WRITE times of the chip, restoration times of the chip, normalcommunication times of the chip, READ times of the chip, communicationfailure times of the chip, communication interference times of the chip,and working environment of the chip.
 23. The chip according to claim 22,wherein: when the implicit data refers to at least one piece ofinformation selected from a group consisting of the parameters of theWRITE times of the chip, the normal communication times of the chip, theREAD times of the chip, the communication failure times of the chip, andthe communication interference times of the chip, the chip is furtherconfigured to: controlled by the control unit, update the implicit datastored in the memory by adding one thereto.
 24. The chip according toclaim 22, wherein: when the implicit data refers to the parameters ofthe working environment of the chip, the chip is further configured to:controlled by the control unit, first detect the working environment ofthe chip and then update the implicit data stored in the memory inaccordance with new parameters of the working environment of the chip.25. An imaging cartridge, wherein: the imaging cartridge is provided achip for performing data transmission between the chip and an imagingdevice coupled with the chip, wherein the chip comprises: a memoryconfigured to store implicit data and master data, wherein the implicitdata refers to record information relevant to the chip, the implicitdata is stored and updated by the chip, rather than being written in bythe imaging device, and the master data refers to information relevantto an imaging cartridge and an imaging procedure of the imaging device;an a control unit configured to connect the imaging device via a bus andreceiving data from the bus, wherein controlled by the control unit, thechip is further configured to receive a clock pulse signal and a WRITEinstruction from the imaging device via the bus, then update theimplicit data, and write the master data received from the imagingdevice into the memory after updating the implicit data.
 26. The imagingcartridge according to claim 25, wherein: the implicit data comprises atleast one piece of information selected from a group includingparameters of anti-counterfeit information of the chip, manufacturinginformation of the chip, WRITE times of the chip, restoration times ofthe chip, normal communication times of the chip, READ times of thechip, communication failure times of the chip, communicationinterference times of the chip, and working environment of the chip. 27.The imaging cartridge according to claim 26, wherein: when the implicitdata refers to at least one piece of information selected from a groupconsisting of the parameters of the WRITE times of the chip, the normalcommunication times of the chip, the READ times of the chip, thecommunication failure times of the chip, and the communicationinterference times of the chip, the chip is further configured to:controlled by the control unit, update the implicit data stored in thememory by adding one thereto.
 28. The imaging cartridge according toclaim 26, wherein: when the implicit data refers to the parameters ofthe working environment of the chip, the chip is further configured to:controlled by the control unit, first detect the working environment ofthe chip and then update the implicit data stored in the memory inaccordance with new parameters of the working environment of the chip.